I was born in Ohio, but I grew up in Miami where my father established his dental practice in 1955. I attended local public schools and then completed my premedical studies at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1967. I then came back to the University Miami School of Medicine and graduated with my M.D. degree in 1971. At that time my original interests were cardiology, but I always remembered the great month I enjoyed in medical school learning dermatology. I was fortunate to spend that month in one of the finest dermatology departments in the world, and several of my teachers have gone on to become world famous in their fields as well as chairman of their own dermatology departments. From Miami, I drove literally across the country to Seattle, Washington to begin my residency in Internal Medicine. Again, I was fortunate to train with Dr. Robert Petersdorf, and he is the lead author of one of the premier textbooks of Internal Medicine. I completed my Internal Medicine training in 1974, and became board certified that year, I then stayed in Seattle to complete my dermatology fellowship in 1976, and became board certified in Dermatology in 1977. Miami and Seattle: two different parts of the country, two different cultures, two different climates, but two great places to live and experience the best in academics.

My military service was at Offutt AFB in Nebraska as Chief of Dermatology. While there, I obtained a clinical faculty teaching position at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. I taught dermatology residents, and had several spend time with me in my clinic.
Following Omaha, I then looked for a place to live permanently. I chose Austin, Texas for several reasons: it has a southern climate (I love outdoor sports, particularly golf, jogging and tennis), and I wanted a city between the two coasts in order to travel easily to medical meetings and to see family. I also wanted a major university (University of Texas) because of sports, culture, and academics. Austin was, and is, a thriving, aggressive, cultured, and very educated city, and it fit all of my needs. The bonus is that Austin is adorned with the great friendliness of Texans. The "Music Capital of the World"!

In 1978, 1 set up my solo practice, and progressed from one employee to eight. I have always been hungry to learn more and do more, and every time a new technology, procedure, or medical advance came out, I tried to be the first to learn it, master it, and then use it. In l981, I became the first doctor in all of Texas to use Zyderm Collagen implants for soft tissue augmentation. In 1983, I traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio and trained on lasers with Dr. Leon Goldman and his staff. Again, I was the first in Austin to use lasers for the skin, and since then had become proficient in the following lasers:

I . CO2 laser - first in Austin
2. Argon laser - first in Austin
3. Neodynium Medlite Yag laser - first in Austin
4. Aura KTP laser - first in Austin
5. Ultrapulse CO2 laser for resurfacing - first in Austin
6. Cynosure yellow pulsed dye laser - first in Austin
7. CoolGlide laser - first in Austin
8. GentleLase laser - first in Austin

I also became the first dermatologist to open a medically supervised skin care salon in 1981. We continue to offer all salon services, and I now work with two licensed aestheticians full time. Within this setting, I was the first dermatologist in Austin to offer the, following:

I . Full salon services
2. Zyderm Collagen injections
3. Sclerotherapy for spider veins
4. FotoFacial using the newest generation Quantum SR IPL.

I support and attend all of the arts including Austin theater, ballet, opera and symphony.
I am a prodigious reader and a student of history and the English language. I read anything I can get my hands on, in terms of periodicals, newspapers, and books, and I particularly enjoy discussing with my patients the books that they am reading too. A passion of mine is art and photography, and examples of my own art and photography, as well as that of my family, is proudly displayed in my office.
In addition, I play tennis three times weekly, lift weights, play golf and run. I love to travel and during those travels, I often attend medical meetings. I remain certified by the AMA through its Physician's Recognition Award and the American Academy of Dermatology through its Continuing Medical Education Award which is updated annually.

I have an overriding principle regarding my practice of medicine: I treat every patient as if they were part of my family, and I consider every one of my staff as part of my family as well. I know that feeling is reciprocated. Every time I go to the doctor myself, I deliberately remind myself what it is like to walk in your shoes. When in other offices, I am aware of my surroundings, the helpfulness and courtesy of the staff, the cleanliness of the office, the professionalism of the physician treating me and even such things as waiting times. Every doctor should occasionally be a patient.